Putting the bins out, a chore that most of us dont look forward to doing each and every week (even more so when having to clear up the mess left by an inquisitive and hungry fox!!), especially now that it's usually more than one bin/box and with our waste having to be seperated - something that would've been deemed a needless hassle just as little as 10 years.
But now we all do it. Why? Because recycling has become a way of life for tha majority of us as councils have become stricter and we're constantly reminded by the media about the damage a non-recycling society has done to the planet and will continue to do in future unless we become more recycling aware.
But what about businesses, who have long been guilty of producing the most waste?
Well from March 2007 Richmond Borough Council began a recycling trial, supplying bins to businesses. Customers could use their own bins if they wished, otherwise would be subjected to an annual bin hire. The materials would be picked up on a weekly basis and the council would pick up more often than this when necessary. Glass would be taken to Day Aggregates in Brentford and the recycling to Middlesex. The cardboard and papers lorries would return to the depot in Twickenham and tip in the MRF (Material Recycling Facility). UPM (shotton papers) would then take that paper and card recyclables to Erith in Kent for re-processing.
Some facts and figures regarding the process.
And want to learn how much this all costs?
So this all comes at a price (with concessions for charites) but with Richmond's aim to be the cleanest and greenest borough in London, encouraging producers of waste to manage their waste responsibly and help us to protect our environment, surely this is a good idea I think you'd agree.
